After spreading their network to different parts of India, the Maoist groups may target the North East region, particularly Assam to establish their roots said a report appearing in The Assam Tribune.
Further, it said security agencies expressed alarm that the Maoists could find some sections of people in Assam vulnerable including the likelihood of forging some understanding with militant groups active in the region.
Commenting on the possibility of the Maoist rebel groups establishing roots in Assam, security sources said that recently links between the AANLA and the Maoist groups came to light. However, fortunately, the AANLA itself is facing trouble and is not one of the potent outfits.
The tea garden labourers in Assam are considered as one of the most vulnerable targets as the Maoist groups may try to penetrate among them with issues like wage hike, living condition etc. The Adivashi community in lower Assam districts may also be targeted by the Maoists to establish their foothold, sources added and revealed that according to reports available, the Maoist groups tried to form a “zonal committee” in lower Assam about five to six years back, but the move did not click.
According to reports available with the security forces, ULFA had some links with the Maoist groups up to the late 1990s but it is not known whether such links still exist. The Maoists also had links with a militant outfit in Nagaland at one point of time but the relation has not been very smooth since after the Naga outfit came forward for talks. However, according to reports, a group of Maoist rebels visited Nagaland last year, but what they did in the State is not known. The Maoist groups are also maintaining links with a few Manipur based rebel groups, sources added.
Sources said that ideologically the Maoist groups support the “nationality struggles” of all the groups, irrespective of whether such struggles are launched by over ground organisations or underground outfits. However, their understanding with groups varies from group to group and it cannot be said that all the underground outfits indulging in “nationality struggles” have links with the Maoists.
Whenever Maoists want to penetrate into an area, they carry out detailed surveys of the area including population pattern, problems facing the people etc. Because of such systematic approach, the Maoists have been able to grow fast in many parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Police revealed that members of Ulfa’s once-lethal 28 battalion were taking shelter in the capital city in the guise of employees of private institutions and using these to dump arms and ammunition.
The police also sounded a warning about the possibility of attacks by those rebels who have evaded arrest so far.